Car Lease Payment Calculator
Estimated Lease Details
Estimated Monthly Payment:
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Total Depreciation: $0.00
Total Finance Charge: $0.00
Total Estimated Lease Cost: $0.00
Understanding Your Car Lease
Leasing a car can be an attractive option for many drivers, offering lower monthly payments compared to buying and the flexibility to drive a new car every few years. However, understanding the components of a lease is crucial to ensure you're getting a good deal.
Key Lease Terms Explained
- Negotiated Selling Price (Capitalized Cost): This is the agreed-upon price of the vehicle, similar to the purchase price if you were buying. It's the starting point for your lease calculation.
- Residual Value Percentage: This is the estimated value of the car at the end of the lease term, expressed as a percentage of the original MSRP. A higher residual value generally leads to lower monthly payments because you're depreciating less of the car's value.
- Money Factor: This is the lease equivalent of an interest rate. It's a very small decimal (e.g., 0.0005) that, when multiplied by 2400, gives you the approximate annual percentage rate (APR). A lower money factor means lower finance charges.
- Lease Term (Months): The duration of your lease agreement, typically 24, 36, or 48 months.
- Capitalized Cost Reduction: Any upfront payment you make to reduce the total amount being financed. This can include a cash down payment, the value of a trade-in, or rebates. It lowers your monthly payments but means more money out of pocket initially.
- Sales Tax Rate: The sales tax applied to your lease. Depending on your state, this might be applied to the total lease payments upfront or to each monthly payment. Our calculator applies it to the monthly payment.
- Acquisition Fee: A fee charged by the leasing company for setting up the lease. It covers administrative costs and is typically paid upfront or rolled into the lease.
- Disposition Fee: A fee charged at the end of the lease to cover the costs of preparing the vehicle for resale. This is usually paid when you return the car.
How Your Monthly Lease Payment is Calculated
A car lease payment primarily consists of two main parts:
- Depreciation Charge: This covers the difference between the adjusted capitalized cost and the residual value, spread out over the lease term. It's essentially what you "pay for" the car's usage.
- Finance Charge: This is similar to interest on a loan, calculated based on the average of the adjusted capitalized cost and the residual value, multiplied by the money factor.
These two charges, plus any applicable sales tax and other monthly fees, make up your total monthly lease payment.
Example Lease Scenario:
Let's say you're leasing a car with a Negotiated Selling Price of $35,000. The Residual Value is 55% ($19,250), and the Money Factor is 0.0007. You put down a Capitalized Cost Reduction of $2,000, and the lease term is 36 months. With a 7% sales tax, an Acquisition Fee of $595, and a Disposition Fee of $395:
- Adjusted Capitalized Cost: $35,000 – $2,000 = $33,000
- Depreciation Portion: ($33,000 – $19,250) / 36 = $381.94
- Finance Charge Portion: ($33,000 + $19,250) * 0.0007 = $36.58
- Base Monthly Payment: $381.94 + $36.58 = $418.52
- Monthly Sales Tax: $418.52 * 0.07 = $29.30
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $418.52 + $29.30 = $447.82
- Total Estimated Lease Cost: ($447.82 * 36) + $595 + $395 = $17,106.52
This calculator helps you quickly estimate these figures, allowing you to compare different lease offers and make an informed decision.